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09:00-16:00

Discussion will cover Strategy, Staffing and Equine Welfare and will include contributions from the British Horseracing Authority and educators and reseachers from the University of Liverpool. Brand new research will be presented by students of the University's Thoroughbred Horseracing Industries MBA (THIMBA) which prepares students for senior management and leadership roles.

09:00 Registration and refreshments

Morning sessions chaired by John Sexton, Chairman at The British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre; Chairman at Go Racing in Yorkshire

10:00 Horseracing in Great Britain - Vision for a Brighter Future, Nick Rust, CEO at British Horseracing Authority

Racing has a large and noble heritage right at the very heart of British culture. It is our second largest spectator sport, directly or indirectly employs over 85,000 people (according to Deloitte in 2013) and contributes over £3.4bn to our economy, much of that in rural areas. However, it faces significant challenges from a changing world and must continue to adapt and change if it is to remain relevant, and to meet its growth aspirations for a brighter future for the sport, our horses and participants. This session will showcase the challenges, the progress the sport is already making and set out a vision for the future of the sport, one based very much on inspiring values, sound strategy focused on consumers, and underpinned by data and research, much of it the kind we will hear about during the rest of the day.

11:00 The Demand for Horseracing, Dr Babatunde Buraimo and Prof David Forrest, University of Liverpool Management School

While many sports businesses have been the subject of academic investigation, including both football and the bookmaking sector who have very strong links with the academic community, we argue that this has been comparatively limited in the case of horse racing. In this presentation, The Centre for Sports Business at The University of Liverpool investigates the demand for horse racing over the period of 2003 to 2016 inclusive and explores the policy implications for the industry. The research considers • The long-run changes to consumer demand at race meetings • The drivers that influence consumer demand • Future research on consumer demand for racing • Policy implications.

12:00 Lunch

13:00 MBA Student Research Breakout sessions

Topic: People, Chaired by Professor Elaine Eades, Associate Dean and Director of MBA Programmes at University of Liverpool Management School

Industry Staff Retention – Matt Mancini, THIMBA Graduate 2017

The British Horseracing industry is currently facing a staffing challenge, particularly with the key frontline staff of Racing Grooms and Work Riders, collectively referred to as Stable Staff. These positions within the workforce are considered key to the progress and growth of the sport, and the people occupying these roles are often referred to as the ‘backbone of the industry’. This session explores the context of the British Horseracing stable staff workplace, to identify the extent of the perceived staff shortage and understand what the nature of it may be by collating over 20 years’ worth of data, including previous related studies.

Multiskilling - Emma Marley, THIMBA Graduate 2017

Multiskilling is often implemented with the ambition of cultivating efficiency, cost-reductions, quality improvements and production increases. BHA has reached a critical stage in terms of its capacity to service the fixture list with sub-optimal human resources in terms of numbers, contracted days and personnel location; a strategic shift is required to utilise existing talents more effectively and offer more attractive careers and progression prospects. This session will discuss the research supporting the growing appeal and credence of multiskilling among race day and regional teams, representing an ideal opportunity for organisational transformation providing solutions to staffing/scheduling, process and team motivation challenges.

Jockey Gender Performance – Vanessa Cashmore, THIMBA Graduate 2017

It is generally assumed that women cannot rival men in direct sporting competition; a view held by many in the traditionally male-dominated sport of horseracing. This session questions this assumption by examining jockey gender differentials within British horseracing, through analysis of fourteen years of racing data.

Topic: Equine, Chaired by Rob Hezel, CEO and Director of The Racing Foundation

Grand National Course – Jonathan Mullin, THIMBA Graduate 2017

The changing ethical opinions around the use of animals for sport poses a major challenge for horse racing and has led to growing scrutiny of the world’s most famous steeplechase, the Grand National. In response to public backlash following fatalities in 2011 and 2012, changes to improve course safety were made prior to the 2013 Grand National. Despite an improved safety record for subsequent Grand National races, actual and perceived course safety remain critical for the future of the Grand National. In this session, media coverage of the Grand National course and festival are reviewed, together with statistical analysis of all races run on the course from 2005-2017 to highlight potential areas for improvement.

There is a need for comprehensive easy-to-digest best practice advice for racehorse vets, trainers, owners and racetracks to mitigate injury and disease in Thoroughbred horseracing. The THN was established as a free resource to provide access to the existing research information, in a reliable and easy to understand manner for members of the racing community. This session looks at lessons learned, both from the THN and also other projects covering equine disciplines.

The industry is striving to provide more competitive racing and hence encourages new owners and additional horses into the sport. However, is the racing industry prepared and is it able to sustain the ever-growing retired racehorse population? This session looks at what data exists to determine the size of the task and what is happening in other jurisdictions that could provide input to help address the issue.

14:30 Afternoon Break

14:45 Plenary Panel Discussion, Chaired by John Sexton, Chairman at The British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre; Chairman at Go Racing in Yorkshire

-Nick Rust, Chief Executive at British Horseracing Authority

-Will Lambe, Executive Director at The British Horseracing Authority

-David Sykes, Director of Equine Health and Welfare at British Horseracing Authority

-Rob Hezel, CEO and Director of The Racing Foundation

-Prof Elaine Eades, Associate Dean and Director of MBA Programmes at University of Liverpool Management School

15:15 Networking

16:00 Finish

Who should attend?

The conference is ideal if you work as a decision-maker and influencer in the horseracing industry. Join us to network with colleagues from the sector and higher education.